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Just a few thoughts. The biggest difference between software project management and project management in general is the uncertainty in the whole lifetime of the project.First, the need of the customer is uncertain. The customer doesn’t know what s/he truly wants until you show him/her a software.Second, the solution is uncertain. There’s many solutions and only one can be chosen. How can you make sure that the solution you chose is the best one?Thirdly, when doing WBS and breaking the solution into tasks, some tasks might be omitted, or some of them might be wrong. The estimation on tesks might be wrong too.Fourthly, the software will go wrong in coding. It might crash or deviate from the need of the user.Why so many uncertainties in software project? The most likely and important reason is that software can only be coded by human beings. Therefore, developing software can’t be standardized.How can we solve these problems? The answer is Agile.We can shorten the release time, so we can get feedback as soon as possible, and then adjust the plan in time.We can divided the whole software into stories and prioritize them. Then chose the most important features to develop and release them to users, and customers.We can divided the team into small Agile teams and break every story into tasks and estimate its man hours every day to detect risks.When coding, we can divide the software into API, modules, classes, methods and etc. Write testcases to make sure the software work in the right way. Also use pair programming, code review, CI and other methods to ensure the software works.After releasing the softwar, demonstrate users and get feedback from them so to adjust the plan.Use some open source tools to tracking the whole process of the project management, so it will be clear what’s going on. There are a lots of Agile tools, such as Redmine and ZenTaoSo this is software project management.

Nice Read ! I would like to suggest one more useful project management tool i.e. Invoicera. It is an online project management tool with features like log work hours,track bill option. It helps us to provide better control over business finances and increase the productivity of the business. You may also consider this tool. (www.invoicera.com)

Introduction of software project management

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ManagementAccording to Harold Koontz: "Management is the art of getting things done through and with people in formally organized groups.“According to Mary Parker Follet: "Management is the art of getting things done through people."

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Management(Cont…) Management is an individual or a group of individuals that accept responsibilities to run an organization. They Plan, Organize, Direct and Control all the essential activities of the organization. Management does not do the work themselves. They motivate others to do the work and co-ordinate (i.e. bring together) all the work for achieving the objectives of the organization. Management brings together all Six Ms i.e. Men and Women, Money, Machines, Materials, Methods and Markets. They use these resources for achieving the objectives of the organization such as high sales, maximum profits, business expansion, etc.

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Features of Management(Cont…) Continuous and never ending process Management is a Process. It includes four main functions, viz., Planning, Organizing, Directing and Controlling. The manager has to Plan and Organize all the activities. He had to give proper Directions to his subordinates. He also has to Control all the activities. The manager has to perform these functions continuously. Therefore, management is a continuous and never ending process. Getting things done through people The managers do not do the work themselves. They get the work done through the workers. The workers should not be treated like slaves. They should not be tricked, threatened or forced to do the work. A favorable work environment should be created and maintained. Result oriented science and art Management is result oriented because it gives a lot of importance to "Results". Examples of Results like, increase in market share, increase in profits, etc.

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Features of Management A group and not an individual activity Management is not an individual activity. It is a group activity. It uses group (employees) efforts to achieve group (owners) objectives. It tries to satisfy the needs and wants of a group (consumers). Nowadays, importance is given to the team (group) and not to individuals. Follows established principles or rules Management follows established principles, such as division of work, discipline, unity of command, etc. These principles help to prevent and solve the problems in the organization. Aided but not replaced by computers Now a days, all managers use computers. Computers help the managers to take accurate decisions. However, computers can only help management. Computers cannot replace management. This is because management takes the final responsibility. Thus Management is aided (helped) but not replaced by computers. Management is dynamic in nature Management is dynamic in nature. That is, management is creative and innovative. An organization will survive and succeed only if it is dynamic. It must continuously bring in new and creative ideas, new products, new product features, new ads, new marketing techniques, etc.

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Project ManagementWhat is project? It’s a temporary group activity designed to produce a unique product, service or result. A project is temporary in that it has a defined beginning and end in time A unique activity having  Sequence of tasks  Consumes resources  Achieves an objective  Results in something new

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Project Management (Cont…)Golden Rules of Project Success Develop a comprehensive, realistic plan and keep it up-to-date. Gain consensus on project outcomes. Make reasonable resource requirements. Build the best team you can and take care of them. Keep the stakeholders informed. Be willing to change or to try new things. Be both a manager and a leader.

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What is Software Project Management? It is a process of managing, allocating and timing resources to develop computer software that meets requirements. In Software Project Management, the end users and developers need to know the length, duration and cost of the project. It is a sub-discipline of project management in which software projects are planned, implemented, monitored and controlled. It consists of eight tasks:  Problem Identification  Problem Definition  Project Planning  Project Organization  Resource Allocation  Project Scheduling  Tracking, Reporting and Controlling  Project Termination

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What is Software Project Management?(Cont…) In problem identification and definition, the decisions are made while approving, declining or prioritizing projects. In problem identification, project is identified, defined and justified. In problem definition, the purpose of the project is clarified. The main product is project proposal. In project planning, it describes a series of actions or steps that are needed to for the development of work product. In project organization, the functions of the personnel are integrated. It is done in parallel with project planning.

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What is Software Project Management?(Cont…) In resource allocation, the resources are allocated to a project so that the goals and objectives are achieved. In project scheduling, resources are allocated so that project objectives are achieved within a reasonable time span. In tracking, reporting and controlling, the process involves whether the project results are in accordance with project plans and performance specification. In controlling, proper action is taken to correct unacceptable deviations. In project termination, the final report is submitted or a release order is signed.